How was your Thanksgiving? I'm still stuffed and still visiting with family. Speaking of family, this week's Cheap Treat comes from a family request from earlier this year--my mom and sisters have gorgeous curly, fine hair (brown, blonde, and red, respectively). I have dark brown, wavy, wiry, thick hair. Anyway, my Mom and Lil Sis asked if I knew any tricks to get their hair to grow and I had a few. Our hair changes due to stress, age, etc, and I had a period of time where my hair seemed to be shedding more than usual. There are several tricks I used, and one I swear by is Biotin--it really works and is around $2.99+ a bottle. Your hair will grow! But, as many commenters have reminded me, ALL of your hair grows, not just the hair on your head. I saw no difference in my complexion, since I've never had acne, but others have commented that Biotin made acne worse/caused acne.

How much to take?

Between 1000-5000 mcg per day. The bottle above is 5000 micrograms, so take just one capsule. The brand used here is Spring Valley, and is from Walmart.

Can you take this with daily vitamins? Can I take if pregnant?

I did; however, I am NOT a Dr/qualified to give medical advice, so check with your Dr first. I've never been pregnant, so check with your Dr. once again.

I take Biotin every day. I have thin, curly as well. The amount of straightening I do to it makes it 2000 times worse. You can also suggest to them Shea Moisture shampoo and conditioner (Yucca is their hair thickening line). It has biotin built into and it smells fab!

Hey Elle! I'm just coming out of my food coma. HAHAHA I agree Biotin is the best! I used it and my hair felt stronger and grew. I'm going back on it after I just had an awful haircut. LOL Thanks for informing your readers about this. :Dhttp://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

I thank you so much for your blog and for the Biotin trick as my husband fell in love with me partly for my hair and now that I'm aging and stressed it's thinning..you can be sure I"m picking some up this weekend! By the way how long did it take for you to see results?

My hair stylist said that a client of hers is taking 3,000mg a day. Her hair is completely different and stronger. I had always just taken 1000 mg a day. I upped it to 3 pills after that recommendation!

I have been taking it for about a year now and yes, my hair is thicker and fuller but expect all your hair to grow. I used to shave once a week and now I shave three times a week and I have to get my eyebrows done at least once a month so that they can trim them. Lol great product.

I started using Biotin after I cut my hair when it was a quarter of the way down my back. A week later I wanted my hair back. I saw this post on Pintrest and I can tell a difference in a little over a month and a half. I totally swear by this stuff!!

Andrew Lessmans, Skin Hair and Nail Formula the best! Check out HSN for great deals. Contains lots of Biotin and other great ingredients. When I first started taking it I was getting acrylic nails and blaming the nail techs for not doing a good job because my refills were needed sooner than 2 weeks. Took me a while to realize it was the supplements. No longer use fake acrylics ~ yeah!

Please can you tell me what the brand name that is in the photo? I live in England and none of the brands here usually do such a high dosage as the 5000 bottle, so I can look up the brand and order some online!Alice

I always have issues with my nails being weak and brittle and the break/peel easily and often. I began taking Biotin and I really do think it makes a difference. My nails grew longer, but the important thing is that they are much stronger than before. I'm not one of those people who believe in "miracle" vitamins and supplements to make hair and nails perfect, but I must say this has made a significant difference in my nail health.

What the commenter left out was that consistance with taking this is key. You need to take biotin EVERY DAY for it to actually make a difference.

Researchers found 5,000mcg of biotin is the magic number. Just make sure you're actually buying the 5,000 pill (not 1,000 and taking 5 of them...) something about the potency in the 5,000 has a different affect!

Saw this on pintrest and started taking it daily. Hair and nails are amazing now!! For those wondering about complexion: ive only been taking it for about a month but my complexion is getting clearer. Ive never had bad acne just mild but that is clearing up as well. I was asked if i was wearing make up the other day. my nails are strong and growing like crazy and my hair being shiny and strong! I only take a 1000 micrograms so not sure what a stronger dose would do.

Hmmmm. I am reading these posts and have been taking this for two months and cannot tell any difference. Sorry to be a wet blanket but you know how the saying goes, if it seems to good to be true, it is.

Saw this on Pinterest and went and bought some. Within 3 days I had the worst cystic acne outbreak of my life. I haven't had cystic acne in over a year thanks to giving up dairy, but this caused huge, painful cysts on my cheeks and chin, and my cheeks have never, ever broken out before. Took me a while before I googled biotin and acne and whoa! Lots of reports of cystic acne related to this stuff. My skin started clearing up 2 days after my last dose. Nothing else in my diet or skincare routine changed during this time so I know Biotin was the culprit.Ladies, if you are acne prone be careful! No good having gorgeous hair and nails if your face looks horrendous.

I just bought this today (biotin) looking forward to start just hope it doesn't cause those cysts I keep hereing about....oh well won't know until I try......Will let you know how it works out for me.....

I have very sensitive skin and break out when I use cheap products (lotions, makeup, perfume... etc), wear wool, or wear cheap jewelry. Since I've been very prone to acne (hormonal and environmental), I'm super careful with the products I use. My boyfriend's mother had awesome results with skin clearing after using Biotin, so I started taking it regularly a few weeks ago. So far, I've had no abnormal breakouts and my complexion actually appears more even. My nails are stronger than ever, and my fine hair is fuller and generally healthier!! Definitely try it, but it may not be for everyone! I take 2,500 mcg.

Yes I can say this really works. I have been using it daily for a month now. My nails are longer & stronger. My hair has started back growing & it is much thicker also. Great product. Thanks again for this wonderful tip.

I started to take Biotin 2 months ago. Haven't had acne in years since I did Accutane. Now, in the last few weeks, I have broken out all over, my nails are actually softer instead of getting harder and my hair has not grown more than normal. Biotin did not work for me.